The Rogue Eagles Radio Control Club was initially formed in 1964 by Bob Hawkins, a present member of our club; Dick Wickline, presently the Associate Vice President of District Xl of the Academy of Model Aeronautics consisting of Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington; and Ralph Witt, who was using a corner of his bicycle shop for model aircraft supplies. In 1965 the club had grown to six or seven members, who were flying off the race track located at the North Ashland interchange. In 1966 the membership had increased to about twelve members, so the club decided to charter the club with the Academy of Model Aeronautics, which, at the present time, has over 130,000 members. As a chartered club with the A.M.A. which is a division of the National Aeronautics Association and is the U.S. aeromodeling representative of the Federation Aeronautique lnternationale headquartered in France, the club became affiliated with other model clubs throughout the United States and other clubs from most continents of the world. The A.M.A. and the F.A.I. establishes the rules by which contests are conducted, safety rules and procedures, and sanctions the contests conducted by the clubs. Through this affiliation, contact is made not only with other clubs in the U.S.A, but throughout the world. In addition, A.M.A. provides liability insurance covering use of model aircraft. In 1967 the club found a flying site out Avenue G in White City. This area provided a runway 600 feet by about 120 feet wide, all dirt. This area was just inside the radius of the Medford Airport tower area, however no conflict was encountered, and the club used this site from 1967-1975.
During the time the club was using the Avenue G area, it was seeking a more permanent place for flying. In 1970, Mrs. Nixon, wife of then President Nixon, turned over 426 acres of Federal land to Jackson County for use as a sports park. A committee of potential users of the sports park was formed, of which the club was one. Initial plans stated that our field was to be prepared and completed in 1977. Because of conflict between our flying activities and other planned facilities in the immediate sports park area, the club was asked to give up our plans for inclusion in the immediate sports park area, and asked to use the area, which we now use at Agate Field. This move provided a benefit for the club, as the facility at Agate Field was available for use by 1975. Jackson County provided the asphalt runway which we now use. Many other improvements were planned by Jackson County for the field area, however they did not come about, due to lack of the necessary funds. Since that time the Agate Field area has been maintained and improved by the Rogue Eagles.
During the period 1975 to 1978 the club experienced moderate growth in membership, however considerable effort was expended by the members in the improvement of Agate Field. For example, the shelter was constructed, and the parking area improved. From 1978 to 1981 increasing growth resulted in a membership of approximately fifty, 15 to 25 of whom were active flyers. During this period there was an increased interest in the building and flying of quarter scale aircraft with a wing span of 80 inches or more. Larger engines were being used, most of them converted chain saw engines. From 1981 to 1983 the club experienced increasing interest by family members in the activities of the club. We also experienced increasing interest by teenagers in Radio Controlled Model Aircraft. Interest in large scale aircraft continued to increase, and pylon racing using small three channel aircraft became popular.
During 1984 and 1985 the club became interested in Pattern Flying, which together with Pylon Racing resulted in increased coordination and competitions with other clubs throughout the western states. Increasing interest by the public in viewing flying events, much of which was created by the clubs participation in the Medford Air Show, and other local activities, resulted in the need for the construction of bleachers for seating at Agate Field. The club members erected the present bleachers at the field. As a result of the increasing interest of teenagers in the club activities, our first teenage Vice President was elected in 1985. In 1985 the "Hobby Tree", hobby shop of Medford, established a perpetual trophy to be awarded each year to the club member who, in the opinion of the membership, contributed the most to the club each year.
The years 1986 to 1988 resulted in rapid growth in membership. Our first female President was elected, signifying the increasing interest of ladies in the club activities. During these years continuing improvement to Agate Field was being accomplished by the club. A major project was the construction of a new entrance road, and the removal of the old road at the approach to the runway, resulting in much improved safety and flight operations.
During 1993 the club entered into a 10-year lease agreement with Jackson County for Agate Field. This agreement provides us with greater control of field operations and insures that the field will remain available for club members in the future. The lease agreement requires the club to maintain the field and make certain minimum investments in labor or material each year. Since we've done this over the years anyway, this agreement is to both the county's and club's advantage.
Over the years the club has put on many flying activities for members of the club, such as fun flys, building contests, flying instruction, float flys on Agate Lake, etc., in addition to the activities listed previously under the purposes of the club. In addition, the club has put on many non-flying activities in which all family members can participate, such as barbecues, pot-lucks, Christmas dinners, etc. The Rogue Eagles Radio Control Club has continually grown over the years since it's establishment until it reached a membership of over one hundred members, not including the families of our members who participate in the activities of the club.
